My little nephew who is 7 years old just received his license to race go-karts.
My brother has always been into racing, cars, bikes, anything with a motor and it was inevitable that his kids would be trying their hand at it.

Last night was the little fellows first race and he was so nervous. I had both him and his sister for the day before his big race. All day he was asking "when is dad going to pick me up?"
This started early in the morning, so it was a very long day for him. I finally made him have a sleep just to get his mind settled. He actually slept for nearly two hours. Surprise.

The time had finally arrived for dad to pick him up and head out to the track.
He was so excited, all over the shop. Couldn't stop him talking all the way to the car. "See Ya There." I told him as he drove down the driveway.

We arrived just in time to see his first race.
What do you know, Big smash heading up the long straight. He smashed straight into the tyre barriers and was jolted up out of his seat landing ontop of the tyres. Major heart flutter at that point, I'm only his aunty, mum would have been frantic.
He was unharmed but very shaken. When mum arrived late he rushed over to her and couldn't get it out quick enough about what had happened. Big "OMG" followed and "Did you hurt yourself?"
Touching his head all over and feeling his arms.
He just replied and said "Fine, I have another race soon." and off he ran.

He took his other races very easy but did a really great job. I think us adults took it a lot worse than he did. His father was fine about it all, didn't make a fuss about it, but us women, well what can I say, it's just in us to be concerned and worried. Thats what we do.

Perhaps I will be better at it next time around, his mother, perhaps not. (The little guy in the red)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Reading importance for your child. Reading is one of the best skills that a child can learn. The earlier you start the better.
Every child has the right to learn to read, it is our duty as a parent to provide the opportunities for a child to develop their reading skills.
It is a pathway for a child to have a successful and confident life.

Check out this great site that I found which has some great tips for teaching reading.Read To Your Child

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Children’s behaviour can be very difficult to understand at times and there are so many different opinions out there to tell us what we should be doing.
Children develop and learn through experiences, through others around them, from the environment and from inner needs.
Little monsters can appear and cause chaos, especially during the “terrible two” stage as everyone calls it. Most parents have a hard time with the behaviours that their children display, not knowing what to do or say to calm their mood.

There are many theories about how children develop and learn and why children behave
in the way they do.
The five major child development theories are 1. Behaviourist- Pavlov, Watson and Skinner- stimulus-response reinforcements. Particular behaviours can be reinforced not only from adults but also can be chemical or physical.

2. Maturationist- Gesell- Biological factors from within and environmental factors that ensure children develop to their potential. Children need to be maturely ready before they are able to develop and learn.

3. Psychodynamic- Freud- Biological needs and instincts driven from within for development. The need is satisfied. Behaviour is developed because of a need being eased, usually the easiest and fastest way.

5. Social constructivist- Vygotsky- social interaction between children and adults. Children’s development and learning comes from the experiences and the internal drive they have within. Adults need to provide challenging experiences and opportunities for social communication. (Working with children. Guidelines for good practice, 2nd edition. Joan Faragher, Glenda MacNaughton)

It is also suggested that there are four behavioural developing stages of children:• The baby- 0 to 1 years• The younger toddler- 1 to 2.5 years• The pre-school toddler- 2.5 to 4.5 years• The early school age child- 4.5 to 8 years
During the first stage, children learn to bond with their carer’s, build a trusting relationship, begin to feel secure and when developing, a regular routine is necessary. Freud believed that the first stages of life are those most important to develop emotional and social development. Stage 2 is when toddlers begin to explore. Everything that comes into contact with him/her from touching, tasting, grabbing and moving is imbedded in his brain. Muscles are developing and should be encouraged by providing a safe and large area for children to explore and experience these new beginnings. Stage 3 is the thinking stage. The brain is developing, taking in every little bit of information that can be stored. Having one idea and leaving it to try another. Language becomes more important to his/her development.Stage 4 can solve problems and understands rules. Is able to communicate what he is thinking. He uses language to work things out. Understands others feelings and thoughts, realises that these may be different to their own.

So with all this in mind, think about how developed your child is. When you ask
if they can turn off the television, pack the toys in the box and get their shoes all at once. Do you think that they are mentally capable of handling all this information?
Most likely, taking in one task and completing it, is probably all they could handle.

Children will undoubtedly pick up on the vibes. Watching body language and listening to an adult’s tone of voice. He/she feels the tension in the air, becoming upset and angry by the reaction that is given by the parent or carer.

Preparing for change and giving plenty of time to children before deciding on going shopping or packing toys away before tea is one way to avoid an argument.
Children need time to adjust to the change, to take in what has been asked of them.
Giving reminders of how long they have left to play, “we will be leaving in five minutes.” Again remind them “Four minutes until we go.” Ask how they are moving along and then remind them that there is only three minutes left and so on. By doing this procedure they have been given plenty of warning and time to absorb what will be happening in five minutes.
Children love routine and organisation, by keeping up with this routine, children know what to expect after five minutes and there should be no arguments.

Children can and will at times run your home, needing attention nearly 24/7. Parents will try and work around them; everyone tries to keep the peace by giving into their wants and needs. As you see this is reinforcing the behaviours.
Be a positive and confident parent, communicating with confidence can make for a very powerful parent.
Don’t have to high expectations and set by example, children will watch and learn from those in their environment.
Also be consistent, what one rule is today will still be there tomorrow and from that day on.

Understanding the developing stages of children will undoubtedly help with your parenting and make for a much happier environment.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Children love playing with playdough and this cooked playdough recipe is great for creating and using one's imagination.
Children develop their physical and cognitive skills when being creative with playdough. Learning how to interact with others while exploring and modelling the playdough will also develop social development.
Great for children aged 2 years+. You can have the children help make this cooked playdough.

HOW TO MAKE
Place all dry ingredients into a saucepan, add water and mix with wooden spoon over medium heat. When mixture has thickened let it cool down, then add cooking oil and knead it well on a floured board until combined thoroughly.
Now you can divide the cooked playdough into different bowls and add a different food colouring to each. Knead in the colour until mixed through the playdough.
Keep in an airtight container.

Great for a rainy day activity, use different cookie cutters for shapes, plastic knives, rolling pin and bottle caps or buttons for a little creativity to develop.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

School holidays are nearly upon us. Holidays show up fast and we all say that we are going to be more prepared.
Have the kids organised with some great activites so bordom doesn't even enter their little minds, but wait, you don't. Just been too busy to even think about school holidays. "What, their here already?"

I found this great product called Riddle Me
It has some really great riddles, over 5000, age related, Scavenger hunts and Treasure hunts.
Design your own invitations for parties and create great looking thankyou cards.
Build up your very own unique riddles and hunts with objects from your own home without it costing heaps of cash. Travelling can also become a nightmare, screaming, fighting kids in the backseat is not a happy holiday, been there, done that, so create some games for those long car trips with this product, Riddle Me.

Kids get bored easily but this is something new to try, something a little different and gets them away from that tv or computer screen. Kids spend way to much time inside watching television or playing games on the computer. Doing riddles and solving puzzles developes children's cognitive skills.